Nicole not in CA Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 My dh is interviewing for a position in Australia (we are currently living in the US). He has long hair, and we are wondering whether long hair is culturally acceptable in Australia? Also, is it accepted in some parts of the country and not others? I know, for example, that here in the US it is acceptable for a guy to have long hair in certain areas of the country (California) but not others (the South). Also we have been in some churches here that are more accepting of a variety of different appearances than others. Thanks! ~Nicole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 What a funny question! My dh had long hair until a few months ago when he went for the "corporate cut" in preparation for job hunting. He still doesn't have a job, so I'm not convinced it helped. As long as your hubby keeps it maintained nicely, there should be no problems. Where is this job located? Rosie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amber in AUS Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 To be honest I really think it depends on the position he is going for. I know of plenty of men with longer hair who are in blue collar type jobs, mechanic, painter, panel beater, they are great people and others think nothing of their long hair. However I have worked in corporate Australia for a long while and long hair in the corporate world (bank, insurance etc) isn't that common. There are men with long hair who keep it washed, brushed and pulled back into a pony tail but it isn't that common. We are in the west. So what kind of position is he going for and where? How does he normally wear his hair? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pip Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 but what is a panel beater? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keptwoman Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 I agree with Amber. Ann: A panel beater is a person who fixes the panels/structure of a car if it has dents or crash damage. What do you call that person? Nicole: where is the position? And what kind of position? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pip Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 I agree with Amber. Ann: A panel beater is a person who fixes the panels/structure of a car if it has dents or crash damage. What do you call that person? The guy who works at the body shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keptwoman Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 LOL well the shop is called the Panel Beaters too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicole not in CA Posted March 11, 2010 Author Share Posted March 11, 2010 LOL at the panel beater. I've never heard of that. My husband is actually a pastor, so this job is in a church. He doesn't want to cut his hair but is willing to if it isn't culturally acceptable there. Most of his ministry has been in California, and the long hair has been a positive thing there. I would hate for him to cut his hair. He looks soooo good with long hair, but I understand if he needs to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keptwoman Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 I would say it would very much depend on the congregation, but I have to say that from what I've seen, long hair is not common here and may be looked down on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peela Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 I know an Anglican pastor here with long hair- he is very well respected. I wouldn't cut my hair for the job. I would however make sure it is tidy and pulled back in a pony tail. I don't think most of Australia is as conservative as the South in the U.S.- but probably not as loose as California. But it varies here, just like over there. If you can say the general area, we might be able to help more. If its a big city..well, could go either way. Are they looking for someone who can bring some fresh air...or are they looking for someone who will completely keep the status quo? I would say a pony tail gives the impression of someone with a more fresh spirit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 What is the demographics of the congregation? If it is mainly young people in a city church, long hair would be fine. If for some crazy reason you were looking to move to the back of beyond, it would be looked down on. The grannies may or may not get over it once they got to know him. :rolleyes: In a suburban area, it could go either way. His potential employers should know the answer to that question, but I don't know if they'd give an honest answer because it isn't very polite to tell someone how to wear their hair! Rosie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keptwoman Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 (edited) Thought of you when I saw this: http://www.theage.com.au/business/australia-best-for-kids-expat-survey-20100311-q16s.html Edited March 11, 2010 by keptwoman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 The guy who works at the body shop. :lol::lol::lol: I nearly fell off my chair laughing. A body shop is where you would go to have your legs waxed. like a beauty salon. completely different to a panel beater. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicole not in CA Posted March 12, 2010 Author Share Posted March 12, 2010 (edited) Thank you all! I appreciate the replies. My dh would prefer that I not go into detail about the location or the church at this point because sometimes it is a small world. :) If things work out, I'll definitely let you know in terms of location, and I'll probably have more questions for you all. :D At this point he's still trying to decide if he should keep the hair. Also, Sandra, thanks for the link. Edited March 12, 2010 by Nicole not in CA typos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 A small world, but a large continent :001_smile: He might as well keep his hair for now. It's easier to cut than grow it back! (The boofy hair stage isn't so sexy looking :lol:) Rosie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lllll Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rootsnwings Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 Umm, I know plenty of people with long hair here in the South. My dh's boss, for one. He had a pony tail for years, and only recently got a shorter haircut when he got up into his 50's. I think he only got it cut because it makes him look younger. :iagree: My boss at Alabama Power had a curly poney tail (and a diamond stud earring) (and wore his shirts open with his chest hairs hanging out :confused:) We called him wolfey (woofey). :lol: :lurk5: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IsabelC Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 If your denomination isn't disapproving of long haired men over there, they probably won't be here. In most situations, it's more how tidy and looked after it looks than the length. Dreads are looked down on in some circles, but brushed and tied back hair is accepted most of the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicole not in CA Posted March 12, 2010 Author Share Posted March 12, 2010 (edited) Oh, I know there are men with long hair in the South. My point was how well it is accepted or not accepted. Long hair on guys is generally much more accepted in Californian culture than in southern culture. We know from experience. :) Edited March 12, 2010 by Nicole not in CA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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